Virtual product display

ABSTRACT

A product display system comprising a display surface; a height sensor for determining a height of a user; an input device for receiving a product selection from the user, where the product selection corresponding to one or more products; a computing device coupled to the height sensor and to the input device, the computing device comprising a frame buffer for outputting images to be displayed on the display surface, the computing device being configured to: receive the product selection from the input device; receive the height from the height sensor and, based on the height, determine a viewing angle of the user in relation to the display surface; and write to the frame buffer one or more images comprising virtual versions of the one or more products, thereby causing the one or more images to be displayed on the display surface, the one or more images corresponding to said viewing angle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/CA2011/000413, filed Apr. 13, 2011, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/323,638, filed Apr. 13, 2010,the contents of both which are hereby incorporated in full herein byreference. This application also claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/588,006, filed Jan. 18, 2012, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated in full herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to product display systems and,more specifically, to product display systems that provide virtualproduct visualization and interaction.

BACKGROUND

To promote products and generate sales, typical retail environmentsutilize floor and shelf space to display products to potentialconsumers. This type of display marketing helps promote the sales of thedisplayed products because potential customers often want to both seeand interact with the actual products prior to making a purchasingdecision.

Unfortunately, floor and shelf space in typical retail environments isoften limited, so retailers often are only able to display a fraction ofthe set of products which are available for purchase. Furthermore,potential customers may have difficulty finding product displays ofitems they are looking for as they navigate the retail environment.Potential customers may also need to visit multiple locations of themerchant looking for particular items. Hence, potential customers may bedeterred by inconveniences associated with locating products on displayprior to making purchasing decisions, and sales may be lost.

The aforementioned difficulties are more acutely felt in a gift registrycontext, where potential customers typically want to see and interactwith multiple products during the gift selection process.

To address these drawbacks, some retailers have installed kiosks inretail locations where images of products may be viewed. Unfortunatelythe images displayed on conventional kiosk displays provide limited, ifany, interaction with, and views of, the displayed products. Hence,potential customers do not gain an experience akin to seeing andinteracting with the actual product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda product display system. The system comprises: a display surface; aheight sensor for determining a height of a user; an input device forreceiving a product selection from the user, the product selectioncorresponding to one or more products; a computing device coupled to theheight sensor and to the input device, the computing device comprising aframe buffer for outputting images to be displayed on the displaysurface, the computing device configured to: receive the productselection from the input device; receive the height from the heightsensor and, based on the height, determine a viewing angle of the userin relation to the display surface; and write to the frame buffer one ormore images comprising virtual versions of the one or more products,thereby causing the one or more images to be displayed on the displaysurface, the one or more images corresponding to the viewing angle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of providing virtual product interaction to a user.The method comprises: receiving a product selection from the user, theproduct selection corresponding to one or more products; determining aheight of the user; based on the height, determining a viewing angle ofthe user in relation to a display surface; writing one or more imagescomprising virtual versions of the one or more products to a framebuffer, thereby causing the one or more images to be displayed on thedisplay surface, the one or more images corresponding to the viewingangle.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a product display system. The system comprises: a displaysurface; an input device for receiving information from the userindicative of at least product of interest; a projector mounted abovethe display surface; a computing device coupled to the input device andthe projector, the computing device comprising a frame buffer foroutputting images to be displayed by the projector on the displaysurface. The computing device is configured to: write to the framebuffer one or more two dimensional images comprising anamorphicprojections of one more items of interest to the user, thereby causingthe one or more two dimensional images to be displayed on the displaysurface, and allowing the user to perceive the one or more items ofinterest as three dimensional objects.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparentto those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the followingdescription of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction withthe accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures which illustrate embodiments of the invention by exampleonly,

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a product display system thatprovides virtual product interaction, exemplary of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the product display system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the product display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the contents of the memory ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of steps performed during a user interaction witha product display system that provides virtual product interaction; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B are images of projections of products of interest,formed by the product display system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified perspective view of a product displaysystem 100 which provides virtual product interaction. Product displaysystem 100 includes a display surface 110, a projector 120 forprojecting images onto display surface 110, a user movement sensor 118,a user height sensor 119, speakers 116, scent dispensers 117, and amarker 115 indicating where a user 130 may stand in order to enjoy anoptimal viewing angle and experience. System 100 may further include akiosk 112 providing a user interface 113.

Display surface 110 may be a conventional projection screen including asurface and a support structure used for displaying projected images forviewing by a user 130. In some embodiments, display surface 110 may forexample be implemented using a sheet a white vellum paper, or the likeinterposed between two sheets of glass, or between a sheet and anotherrigid support surface. Surface 110 may be supported by a base, andthereby form a table for the support of objects for sale and the like.In the depicted embodiment, display surface 110 takes the form of around glass table.

Projector 120 may be a conventional display projector for projecting animage onto display surface 110. In some embodiments, projector 120 maybe a conventional 1080p; 720p; XVGA or similar home theatre or businessprojector available from Sony, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Panasonic, Epson orother known manufacturer. In an embodiment, projector 120 may be focusedto project exactly and only on surface 110, allowing projector 120 tofill surface 110 (and not the environment). This may be accomplishedusing an appropriate throw distance, focus, and optional mask.

As shown in FIG. 1, projector 120 may be located above display surface110, and display surface 110 is oriented substantially horizontally.However, it will be appreciated that projector 120 may be positioned indifferent locations, and that display surface 110 may be arranged indifferent orientations. For example, in some embodiments projector 120may be positioned directly below display surface 110 and display surface110 may be a rear-projection screen. Alternatively, projector 120 may beobliquely mounted at a location above, but not directly above surface110.

In some embodiments, multiple projectors in multiple locations may beused. For example, a projector 120 mounted above surface 110, and asecond projector mounted beneath surface 110. Both projectors may beoperated concurrently to present images on surface 110.

It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments display surface 110may be a digital display screen forming part of a digital display, suchas a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or the like (in such embodiments,projector 120 may not be required).

As described in more detail below, user movement sensor 118 is operableto detect hand and/or arm gestures of user 130 in the vicinity ofdisplay surface 110 to thereby allow user 130 to interact with productdisplay system 100.

User height sensor 119 is operable to detect the height of user 130, andmay for example comprise one or more cameras and machine vision softwareas is known in the art. Alternatively, height sensor 119 may be aninfrared sensor, a sonic sensor, or other appropriate sensor for sensingthe presence and height of an individual. As will be apparent, userheight sensor 119 serves to approximate the viewing height of a userproximate surface 110.

Kiosk 112 may be a computer terminal that provides information access byway of user interface 113, which may be a conventional touch-screendisplay or the like.

As will become apparent, user 130 may initiate an interaction withproduct display system 100 through user interface 113 of kiosk 112.Specifically, user interface 113 may present options to user 130, suchas the following options: (1) browse products catalogue; (2) create agift registry; and (3) view an existing gift registry. If user 130selects one of the presented options, user interface 113 may thenpresent a conventional menu for browsing a product catalogue, creating agift registry, or viewing an existing gift registry, including enablinguser 130 to create a user profile or to login to an existing userprofile. Additionally, user interface 113 may enable user 130 toinitiate a virtual product interaction session. If user 130 selects thisoption, projector 120 displays substantially life-size, realistic imagesof selected products on display surface 110. Product display system 100may use speakers 116 and scent dispensers 117 to enhance the sensoryexperience of user 130 by providing sounds and scents associated withthe images displayed on display surface 110.

Product display system 100 may also use user movement sensor 118 toenable user 130 to virtually interact with the displayed images. Forexample, virtual “buttons” associated with any of numerous possibleactions, such as rotating or otherwise manipulating a displayed product,may be displayed on display surface 110. Alternatively, the user mayinteract with projected images of items. User movement sensor 118detects when user 130 has moved her hand over a virtual button(indicating that user 130 has “activated” the virtual button) and, inresponse, product display system 100 may invoke images, sounds, and/orscents to virtually animate the action corresponding with the selectedvirtual button, thereby providing an experience akin to interacting withthe actual physical product.

In some embodiments, projector 120 may project oblique anamorphic imagesonto display surface 110 to provide virtual 3-dimensional (3D)visualizations of products to user 130. As is known, oblique anamorphicimages are drawn in a particular distortion in order to create animpression of 3 dimensions when seen from specific viewpoints.Anamorphic images (or anamorphosis) are more particularly described inthe text “Hidden Images: Games of Perception, Anamorphic Art, Illusion:From the Renaissance to the Present” by Fred Leeman, Joost Elffers,Michael Schuyt, published by Harry N. Abrahams, Inc., 1976, ISBN-13:9780810990197, ISBN: 0810990199, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference. As will be appreciated, realistichigh-resolution oblique anamorphic images may be generated using aconventional rendering software application such as, for example,Autodesk's 3ds Max, Autodesk's 3D Studio Max, and/or Autodesk's MAYA.Constructing an oblique anamorphic image is a geometrical exercise knownto those ordinarily skilled in the art, and is more particularlydescribed for example in J. L Hunt, B. G. Nickel, and ChristianGigault's paper “Anamorphic images” published in the American Journal ofPhysics, March 2000, Volume 68, Issue 3, at pp. 232-237, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, multiple sets of oblique anamorphic images may bepre-generated and stored at display system 100 for later presentation onsurface 110, where each set corresponds to a different viewing angle.Each image may be a frame, and a set of images may be associated toprovide full motion video at a suitable frame rate, such as 24 or 30fps. Each set of oblique anamorphic images may display one or more itemsto be viewed by user, in motion. The items may for example move along adefined trajectory on surface 110. As described in more detail below,the viewing angle of user 130 may be determined by product displaysystem 100, and a set of oblique anamorphic images optimal for user's130 viewing angle may then be retrieved for presentation on surface 110.

Because such images are best viewed from specific viewpoints, marker 115may be used to indicate to user 130 where user 130 may stand in order toenjoy an optimal viewing angle. Marker 115 may be projected onto thefloor, or it may be an actual physical marker, for example painted onthe floor. User height sensor 119 may also be used to more accuratelydetermine the viewing angle of user 130, enabling product display system100 to adjust the displayed images accordingly. For example, based onheight information received from user height sensor 119 and the positionof user 130 as determined by marker 115, product display system 100 maycause images optimized for user's 130 viewing angle to be displayed ondisplay surface 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a computing device 210forming part of product display system 100. In particular, asillustrated computing device 210 includes central processing unit (CPU)212, graphics subsystem 214 having a frame buffer 215, network interface216, and a suitable combination of persistent storage memory 218, randomaccess memory and read only memory. Network interface 216 interconnectscomputing device 210 to a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

Projector 120 is coupled to computing device 210 by graphics subsystem214. Subsystem 214 may include a graphics processor, display interface,and frame buffer 215. As is known in the art, images written to framebuffer 215 are provided to projector 120 for projection onto displaysurface 110, using a conventional display interface, such as a VGA, DVI,HDMI, DisplayPort or similar interface. It will be appreciated that inembodiments where display surface 110 forms part of a digital display,the digital display (rather than projector 120) is coupled to computingdevice 210 via graphics subsystem 214.

Kiosk 112, user movement sensor 118, user height sensor 119, speakers116, and scent dispensers 117 are coupled to computing device 210 viaone or more input/output (I/O) peripheral interfaces 220. Additionalinput/output peripherals such as keyboard, monitor, mouse, and the likeof computing device 210 are not specifically detailed herein. These mayalso interconnect to device 210 via I/O peripheral interfaces 220.

Computing device 210 may for example be a conventional x86 based,Windows NT, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Apple, Macintosh, Linux, Solarisor similar based computer, known to those of ordinary skill. As willbecome apparent, computing device 210 may further host software allowingit to function in manners exemplary of embodiments of the presentinvention.

A simplified organization of software components stored withinpersistent storage (i.e. memory 218) of computing device 210 is depictedin FIG. 3. As will be appreciated software components embodying depictedfunctional blocks may be loaded from a computer readable medium andstored within persistent storage memory 218 at computing device 210. Asillustrated, software components may include operating system (0/S)software 320, applications 322, kiosk application 324, gift registries325, virtual interaction application (VIA) 326, rendered images 328, andsound recordings 329, exemplary of embodiments of the present invention.

O/S software 320 may, for example be a Unix based operating system (e.g.Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris), a Microsoft Windows operating system, or thelike. O/S software 320 may also include a TCTP/ICP stack allowingcommunication of computing device 210 with a network such as a LAN orthe Internet via network interface 216.

Applications 322 may include a number of conventional retailapplications, such as a point-of-sale application enabling user 130 topurchase products displayed through product display system 100. In anembodiment, application 332 may include or be in communication with agift registry application, suitable for the order and sale of itemschosen by or on behalf of a gift recipient. To that end, applications332 may be in communication with a database storing items forming partof a gift list for the recipient. This database may similarly storelists of items chosen by or on behalf of various gift recipientsserviced by the retail establishment operating system 100.

Kiosk application 324 provides a graphical user interface (GUI) via userinterface 113 enabling user 130 to select from a number of functionsincluding (1) browsing a products catalogue; (2) creating a giftregistry; and (3) viewing an existing gift registry. The GUI may alsoenable user 130 to initiate a virtual product interaction session, asdescribed below.

VIA 326 serves to control the virtual product interaction sessionsdescribed above. Specifically, in response to inputs from kiosk 112,user movement sensor 118 and/or user height sensor 119, VIA 326 may sendone or more rendered images 328 to projector 120 for projection ontodisplay surface 110. VIA 326 may also at appropriate times provide soundoutputs 329, in the form of synthesized or recorded sounds, to speakers116, and cause scent dispensers 117 to dispense certain scents.

A scenario exemplary of a user interaction with product display system100 will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 and the flow chartsof FIGS. 4 and 5.

The flow chart of FIG. 4 illustrates a process by which product displaysystem 100 may initiate a virtual product interaction session. At thestart, kiosk application 324 may receive an indication from userinterface 113 that user 130 has selected the option to “view an existinggift registry” (step 402). In response, kiosk application 324 promptsuser 130 via user interface 113 to enter account identificationinformation (step 404). After account identification information isobtained (step 405), kiosk application 324 retrieves the correspondinggift registry from gift registries 325, which may include for example alist of selected products (step 406). Kiosk application 324 then causesthe contents of the gift registry and related information (e.g. the listof selected products together with associated images and productinformation) to be displayed via user interface 113 (step 408).Additionally, user 130 is presented with an option to initiate a virtualproduct interaction session in association with the products listed inthe selected gift registry. When the virtual product interaction sessionoption is selected (step 410), VIA 326 may play a sound recordingdirecting user 130 to stand at the location indicated by marker 115(step 412). VIA 326 may also use height sensor 119 to detect the heightof user 130 (step 414). Based on the height reading and on the positionof user 130 as specified by marker 115, VIA 326 determines the viewingangle of user 130 (step 415) and retrieves a set of rendered images fromrendered images 328 that correspond to the viewing angle of user 130(step 416). VIA 326 then writes the selected rendered images to framebuffer 215, and the images are then projected by projector 120 ontodisplay surface 110 (step 418). When displayed on display surface 110,the rendered images appear to user 130 as virtual versions of theproducts listed in the selected gift registry.

As will be appreciated, a series of rendered images may be used todepict the virtual products in animation—for example, the displayedproducts may appear to be rotating about the central axis of displaysurface 110. At the same time, VIA 326 may also retrieve a soundrecording from sound recordings 329 that corresponds to the imagesdisplayed on display surface 110, and send it to speakers 116.Similarly, VIA 326 may cause scent dispensers 117 to dispense certainscents corresponding to the images and/or sounds.

Conveniently, the series of images may depict items in the gift registrychosen by the user. All items, or the remaining items not yet purchasedby users of the registry may be presented in the series of anamorphicimages. A user is thus given a 3D presentations of items in theregistry. Conveniently, the items may be animated, moving along adefined trajectory. For example, the items may be moved in a generallycircular path on display surface 110. Possibly, a combination of allitems in a gift list may be co-rendered, and images corresponding todifferent viewing positions for all the items in the list may be storedin images 328. For each gift list (i.e. for each gift registrant) adifferent collection of sets of images may be stored.

FIGS. 6A and 6B provide example anamorphic images of various items in agift list that may be stored at device 210 for display on surface 110.These images are of course only exemplary. Many more imagescorresponding to different items (or sets of items) and viewing anglesmay be stored at device 210. In the particular examples, the knife setin the center of the images is being highlighted. This may be done as aresult of user interaction, or otherwise.

The flow chart of FIG. 5 illustrates a process by which product displaysystem 100 may enable user 130 to interact with the system during avirtual product interaction session. As noted, images displayed ondisplay surface 110 appear to user 130 as virtual versions of theproducts listed in the selected gift registry. Additionally, the imagesmay also depict virtual buttons associated with any of numerous possibleactions, such as rotating or otherwise manipulating the displayedproducts (step 502). VIA 326 may receive an indication from usermovement sensor 118 that user 130 has moved her hand over a virtualbutton (step 504) or a depicted object. In response, VIA 326 retrieves aset of rendered images from rendered images 328 that correspond to theaction associated with the selected virtual button (step 506). Theselected rendered images are also selected based on the viewing angle ofuser 130. VIA 326 then writes the selected rendered images to framebuffer 215 (step 508), and the images are then projected by projector120 onto display surface 110. When displayed on display surface 110, therendered images appear to user 130 as an animation corresponding to theaction selected by user 130. As before, VIA 326 may also retrieve asound recording from sound recordings 329 that corresponds to the imagesdisplayed on display surface 110, and send it to speakers 116.Similarly, VIA 326 may cause scent dispensers 117 to dispense certainscents corresponding to the images and/or sounds.

Optionally, the user may interact with virtual objects presented in theimages. That is, movement of a user 130 contacting an item in an imagemay be sensed, and a new series of images may be presented on displaysurface 110. For example, by using two projectors, touching an image ofan item presented by one projector may cause VIA 326 to cause a secondprojector to present a series of anamorphic images corresponding to thetouched item. Similarly, the more information about the desired objectmay be provided—including for example its price; location or the like.

Also, in the event the items form part of a gift registry, items may bepurchased by the interacting user. Identification (including purchaseidentification) may be provided at kiosk 112, or otherwise.

Though the images displayed on display surface 110 have been describedas being pre-rendered and stored in persistent storage memory 218, itwill be appreciated that in some embodiments the images may be renderedin real-time as required using conventional graphics processingtechnology such as a conventional graphics processing unit (GPU) andsuitable graphics processing software such as a conventional gamingengine or the like.

It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, display surface110 may be a touch-screen digital display. In such embodiments,projector 120 and user movement sensor 118 may not be required, asimages can be sent by VIA 326 directly to display surface 110 to bedisplayed by display surface 110, and inputs from user 130, such astouching a displayed virtual button, may be sensed by display surface 10and indicated to VIA 326.

It will further be appreciated that rather than use marker 115 to directuser 130 to a particular optimal viewing location, product displaysystem 100 may include a user position sensor, such as a camera andvideo processing software, to dynamically detect the position of user130 and thus enable VIA 326 to dynamically determine the viewing angleof user 130 and to display images optimized for that viewing angle.

Also disclosed is a next generation retail technology through arevolutionary new Touch'nC™ technology. This customer-orientedexperience is found, for example, in La Boutique, exclusive to TheHudson's Bay Queen Street Store in Canada. This dynamic new conceptcombines several new innovative technologies, including linking thesimplicity of ordering items on the web with a theatrical in storeexperience whereby the customer can see all of the products that theypick up from a series of 30, 8 foot glass towers in a 3D photo realisticsetting.

The technology in accordance with the present application allowscustomers to be detected on a perimeter of the boutique as they walkdown varies isles surrounding the boutique. Our new motion detectioncomponent of the boutique allows ™Anna Maria, our virtual “Video-Wall” &La Boutique Ambassador, to greet and welcome every customer and describefeatured items carried within La Boutique Anna Maria is activated when apasserby or potential customer is detected in near vicinity.

Start to Finish Customer Experience Around La Boutique

La Boutique serves as a platform highlighting the World's most uniquegift ideas and is based on the same premises as Collate in Paris, on RueSaint-Honore. The products carried in La Boutique are exclusive & one ofa kind unique gift items.

Anna Maria's appearance in the boutique causes people to stop, stand andstare, as one cannot easily determine that she is less than human. AnnaMaria will invite you in to the Boutique to use the touch n see fixturesand begin your revolutionary shopping experience. This interactive videowall is able to detect an approaching customer or a customer that hasstopped in front of her; which then prompts Anna to inform and entertainthe interested customer with exciting and informative Boutiqueinformation.

All products are placed out and in an unconfined way on the shelves forthe customer to feel, test & try on. By touching any product, you willthen trigger the 3D rendered branding video showing that item being usedin context while displaying price information allowing you to experiencethis product with little assistance needed from a sales associate.

With the assistance of a Boutique sales associate or on your own, simplyuse the provided “consideration card” as your shopping cart and placethe card upon the shelf that you wish to purchase the item and beginbuilding your shopping cart. Similar to shopping online but with theluxury of bringing those special items gift wrapped and home with youtoday.

Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and,therefore, the invention is defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A product display system comprising: a displaysurface; a height sensor for determining a height of a user; an inputdevice for receiving a product selection from said user, said productselection corresponding to one or more products; a computing devicecoupled to said height sensor and to said input device, said computingdevice comprising a frame buffer for outputting images to be displayedon said display surface, said computing device configured to: receivesaid product selection from said input device; receive said height fromsaid height sensor and, based on said height, determine a viewing angleof said user in relation to said display surface; and write to saidframe buffer one or more images comprising virtual versions of said oneor more products, thereby causing said one or more images to bedisplayed on said display surface, said one or more images correspondingto said viewing angle.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said one ormore images comprise one or more oblique anamorphic images.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said product display system further comprisesa projector coupled to said frame buffer; said display surface comprisesa projection screen; and said causing said one or more images to bedisplayed on said display surface comprises causing said one or moreimages to be sent to said projector for projection onto said displaysurface.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more images arepre-rendered using a rendering software application and stored in amemory, and wherein said computing device is further configured toretrieve said one or more images from said memory prior to said writingsaid one ore more images to said frame buffer.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein said product display system further comprises one or morespeakers, and said computing device is further configured to send asound recording corresponding to said one or more images to said one ormore speakers.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said product displaysystem further comprises one or more scent dispensers, and saidcomputing device is further configured to cause a scent corresponding tosaid one or more images to be dispensed by said one or more scentdispensers.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more imagesfurther comprise one or more virtual buttons, each of said virtualbuttons being associated with an action; said product display systemfurther comprises a user movement sensor for detecting hand gestures ofsaid user that correspond to activating said virtual buttons; and saidcomputing device is further configured to: receive an indication fromsaid user movement sensor that said user has activated a particular oneof said virtual buttons; and responsive to said indication from saidmovement sensor, write to said frame buffer a plurality of action imagescomprising animations corresponding to said action associated with saidvirtual button, thereby causing said plurality of action images to bedisplayed on said display surface, said plurality of action imagescorresponding to said viewing angle.
 8. A method of providing virtualproduct interaction to a user, said method comprising: receiving aproduct selection from said user, said product selection correspondingto one or more products; determining a height of said user; based onsaid height, determining a viewing angle of said user in relation to adisplay surface; writing one or more images comprising virtual versionsof said one or more products to a frame buffer, thereby causing said oneor more images to be displayed on said display surface, said one or moreimages corresponding to said viewing angle.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein said one or more images comprise one or more oblique anamorphicimages.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said display surfacecomprises a projection screen; and said causing said one or more imagesto be displayed on said display surface comprises causing said one ormore images to be sent to a projector for projection onto said displaysurface.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising pre-renderingsaid one or more images using a rendering software application, storingsaid one or more images in a memory, and retrieving said one or moreimages from said memory prior to said writing said one ore more imagesto said frame buffer.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprisingsending a sound recording corresponding to said one or more images toone or more speakers.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprisingcausing a scent corresponding to said one or more images to be dispensedby one or more scent dispensers.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein saidone or more images further comprise one or more virtual buttons, each ofsaid virtual buttons being associated with an action; said methodfurther comprising: detecting a hand gesture of said user thatcorresponds to activating one of said virtual buttons; responsive tosaid detecting said hand gesture, writing to said frame buffer aplurality of action images comprising animations corresponding to saidaction associated with said virtual button, thereby causing saidplurality of action images to be displayed on said display surface, saidplurality of action images corresponding to said viewing angle.
 15. Aproduct display system comprising: a display surface; an input devicefor receiving information from said user indicative of at least productof interest; a projector mounted above said display surface; a computingdevice coupled to said input device and said projector, said computingdevice comprising a frame buffer for outputting images to be displayedby said projector on said display surface, said computing deviceconfigured to: write to said frame buffer one or more two dimensionalimages comprising anamorphic projections of one more items of interestto said user, thereby causing said one or more two dimensional images tobe displayed on said display surface, and allowing said user to perceivesaid one or more items of interest as three dimensional objects.